I Had The First Integrated Army Band

Every Individual Should Be Expressing Themselves, Whether A Politician Or A Minister Or A Policeman.

Don't Be A Perfectionist... Leave That To The Classical Musicians.

I Wasn't Allowed To Play In Some Universities In The United States And Out Of Twenty-five Concerts, Twenty-three Were Canceled Unless I Would Substitute My Black Bass Player For My Old White Bass Player, Which I Wouldn't Do.

I Knew I Wanted To Write On Religious Themes When I Was A Gi In World War Ii. I Saw And Experienced So Much Violence That I Thought I Could Express My Outrage Best With Music.

Over The Years I've Had Strong Friendships With Many Priests. As A Matter Of Fact, A Group Of Christian Leaders From The National Council Of Churches Came To My House In The 1950s To Ask Me To Write Music For A Mass. I Didn't Think I Was Ready At That Time. So, In A Sense, I Guess Joining The Church And Writing The Mass Was A Culmination Of A Long Journey That Is Still Going On.